Chair

ABSTRACT

A chair comprising a fabric seat portion extending transversely between opposite sides of a transverse frame mounted on a stand or base. An upright back portion is connected with the seat portion and is held in upright position by an upright support arm which is movably connected with the transverse frame below the seat. A control arm is connected with the frame and extends to an adjustable connection with the support arm for holding the upper end of the back portion in place, and for adjusting the angle thereof.

United States Patent [191 Doyle Feb.4,1975

[ CHAIR [76] Inventor: Edward R. Doyle, 8733 N. 33rd St.,

Tampa, Fla. 33604 [22] Filed: Mar. 12, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 340,457

[52] US. Cl 297/278, 297/377, 297/457 [51] Int. Cl. A47c 3/00 [58] Field of Search 297/355, 377, 457, 273,

297/277-280, 118; 105/329 SC, 329 S [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 296,775 4/1884 Peck 297/278 465,275 12/1891 Kennedy 297/277 X 550,396 11/1895 Seaberg 297/278 X 664,933 l/l90l Durnell 297/277 857,653 6/1907 McCaulley... 297/280 1,173,654 2/1916 Eaton 297/277 1,503,493 8/1924 Eiffe 297/273 2,520,741 8/1950 Snell 297/457 X 3,062,583 11/1962 Hamilton 297/118 Primary Examiner-Francis K. Zugel Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burns, Doane, Swecker & Mathis [57] ABSTRACT A chair comprising a fabric seat portion extending transversely between opposite sides of a transverse frame mounted on a stand or base. An upright back portion is connected with the seat portion and is held in upright position by an upright support arm which is movably connected with the transverse frame below the seat. A control arm is connected with the frame and extends to an adjustable connection with the support arm for holding the upper end of the back portion in place, and for adjusting the angle thereof.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEUFEB M915 3,863,981

SHEET 1 BF 2 FIGI PATENIEI] FEB 4 I975 SHEET 2 OF 2 CHAIR SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in chairs, and more particularly to adjustable or swinging chairs.

It has been suggested heretofore to provide adjustable chairs having canvas seats and backs, but these have involved complexities of structure and use, they could not be efficiently adjusted readily to different positions, or collapsed for packaging and shipment, and yet provide sturdy structure in use.

One object of the invention is to simplify and improve the construction of adjustable chairs, and to obviate the objections to such chairs as made heretofore.

Another object of the invention is to provide a secure support structure for holding a fabric or canvas seat and back which will provide for ready adjustment thereof by the user to different angular positions.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a light-weight collapsible structure for holding a seat of a chair and for adjusting to different angular positions.

These objects may be accomplished, according to one embodiment of the invention, by providing an annular or oval frame, suspended or mounted on a stand, and extending upright therefrom. A flexible or fabric seat portion extends transversely between opposite sides of the frame, and a back portion connected at one end to an edge of the seat portion. A support arm is adjustably connected at one end portion with the frame, and has the upper end of the seat back portion carried by the other end of the support arm. A control bar is adjustably connected with the upper end portion of the support arm to vary the angle of the back portion. A foot rest is provided on the lower end of the support arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the chair;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation thereof, in one position;

FIG. 5 is a similar view thereof in another adjusted position;

FIG. 6 is a detail perspective view of the mounting of the oval frame on the base or stand;

FIG. 7 is a detail perspective view of the connection between the support bar and the control arm; and

FIG. 8 is a detail perspective view of the connection between the control arm and the oval or annular frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE The frame structure of the chair is constructed preferably, according to this embodiment, of a lightweight tubular frame, of suitable material such as aluminum, steel or the like. Sections may be cut, bent and fitted together to provide a sturdy and secure structure. By using suitable couplings between the sections, these may be collapsed for packing and shipment, and assembled by the user in a sturdy structure.

The chair includes a base or stand, generally indicated at 1, within which is mounted or supported a transverse frame which is preferably oval in shape, as indicated generally at 2. A unitary seat and back structure is shown at 3.

The base or stand 1 includes feet portions 4 extending forward and rearward from upright side supports 5. The tubular sections of the feet 4 are coupled together and extend up in side-by-side relation to form each side support 5. Clamps 6 and 7 connect these sections together at vertically spaced points. These may be the usual form of clamps for securing rods together in sideby-side relation.

The transverse or oval frame is also preferably made of tubular sections secured together end-to-end by suitable couplings, one of which is indicated at 8 in the upper transverse section of the frame. On opposite sides of the transverse or oval frame, intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof, support rods 9 are fixed intermediate their ends to the frame 2.

A seat for the chair is indicated generally at 10, and is preferably formed of a length of a suitable flexible material such as canvas. At its opposite ends, the strip of material forming the seat in this embodiment is provided with loops 11 having the support rods 9 threaded therethrough. Thus, the seat is detachable from the frame, for protection from the weather, for replacement, or for laundering.

A seat back portion is indicated at 12. This back portion also may be made of a strip of canvas or other suitable material. It is shown as attached at one end to a lateral edge of the seat portion and extends upwardly therefrom. The upper end of the back portion is also provided with a loop 13 to receive therethrough a support rod 14.

The support rod 14 is mounted on the upper end of a support arm 15 which extends upwardly behind the back portion 12 and downward and forwardly beneath the seat portion 10, across the lower transverse portion of the frame 2. At the forward end of the support arm 15, a transverse rod 16 forms a foot rest. The support arm 15 extends through a guide loop 17 on the lower portion of the frame to allow lengthwise movement of the support arm with respect to the frame 2, as well as turning movement with respect thereto.

At the upper end of the transverse or oval frame a control bar 18 extends between the frame' and the support arm 15. The control bar 18 extends between cars 19 (FIG. 8) on the coupling or collar 8 and is pivoted thereto at 20. The opposite end of the control bar 18 extends through a guide loop 21 (FIG. 7) on the support rod 14.

Sliding movement of the control bar 18 in one direction is limited by an abutment plate 22 on the end of the bar 18. Several shoulders 23 are provided on a side of the control bar 18, spaced along the length thereof and of a size to pass through the guide loop 21, but to catch on the loop and limit lengthwise displacement of those parts in other relative positions thereof.

If it be desired to suspend the chair from the ceiling, as by a chain, a hook 24 may be provided on the coupling 8 (FIG. 8) and will serve to support the entire chair.

The frame 2 can be mounted fixedly in the stand or base, or it may swing with respect thereto. l have shown pivots 25 (FIG. 6), connecting the opposite sides of the frame 2 with the couplings 7, for tilting movement of the frame 2 about the horizontal axis provided by the pivots 25.

A chair of this construction gives the feeling to the user of being suspended in a void or in space. This feeling is enhanced by the swinging support of the entire chair.

The chair has three different positions controlled by the shoulders 23 and abutment plate 22. These positions can be controlled easily under selection of the user by applying pressure to the left foot as he leans back. This turns the support arm sufficiently to allow the guide loop 21 to slip past the shoulders 23. Once the selection of the desired angle has been made, removing pressure from the left foot or applying it equally to both feet will restore the normal position of the support arm, and it will be locked. Finally, after reclining to the last position, leaning forward and applying more pressure to the right foot will cause the control bar to slip through the loop 21 to different selected positions.

The chair assembly is made of few parts, and may be constructed inexpensively, and assembled with few tools.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

I claim:

1. A chair comprising a stand forming a base and including upright side portions on opposite sides of the chair, a frame extending transversely of the chair and having opposite sides mounted on the upright side portions of the base for supporting a seat portion thereabove, a support arm extending transversely of theframe between the upright side portions and upwardly behind the seat, means for adjustably connecting the support arm adjacent one end portion thereof with the frame for tilting movement of the support arm relative thereto, means for adjustably locking the support arm in a tilted position with respect to the frame, and means connected to the support arm for receiving pressure from the feet of an occupant of the chair to release the support arm from the locking means and to reengage the support arm with the locking means subsequent to adjustment of the tilting of the support arm.

2. A chair according to claim 1, wherein the locking means is mounted on the frame and is connected with the upper end portion of the support arm.

3. A chair according to claim 1, wherein the frame has an upper transverse portion above the seat, and the locking means extends from said upper transverse portion to the upper end portion of the support arm.

4. A chair according to claim 1, wherein the frame has an upper transverse portion above the seat, and the locking means includes a bar extending rearwardly from said transverse portion to an adjustable connection with the upper end portion of the support arm.

5. A chair according to claim 1, wherein the means for receiving pressure from the feet of an occupant includes a foot rest on the front end portion of the support arm.

6. A chair according to claim 1, including a seat support extending in bridging relation between opposite sides of the frame and having a back support extending upwardly from the seat support to the upper end portion of the support arm.

7. A chair comprising a stand forming a planar base with upright side portions on opposite sides of the chair, a closed, arcuate frame mounted on the upright side portions and pivotable about a horizontal axis passing through the points at which the frame is mounted thereon, a seat member extending transversely between opposite sides of the frame and having a back portion extending upwardly therefrom, a sup- I port arm connected with the lower portion of the frame and extending upwardly behind the back portion to connect with the upper portion of the frame, and means mounting the back portion on the support arm.

8. A chair according to claim 7, including a control bar connected with the upper portion of the frame to adjustably connect the frame with the upper end por-' tion of the support arm.

9. A chair according to claim 7, including a control bar connected with the upper section of the frame, means connected with the support arm in guided relation with the control bar for swinging, adjustable movement of the support arm therealong, and means for locking the support arm in adjusted position with respect to the control bar.

10. A chair according to claim 7, including a foot rest connected with the lower end portion of the support arm 

1. A chair comprising a stand forming a base and including upright side portions on opposite sides of the chair, a frame extending transversely of the chair and having opposite sides mounted on the upright side portions of the base for supporting a seat portion thereabove, a support arm extending transversely of the frame between the upright side portions and upwardly behind the seat, means for adjustably connecting the support arm adjacent one end portion thereof with the frame for tilting movement of the support arm relative thereto, means for adjustably locking the support arm in a tilted position with respect to the frame, and means connected to the support arm for receiving pressure from the feet of an occupant of the chair to release the support arm from the locking means and to reengage the support arm with the locking means subsequent to adjustment of the tilting of the support arm.
 2. A chair according to claim 1, wherein the locking means is mounted on the frame and is connected with the upper end portion of the support arm.
 3. A chair according to claim 1, wherein the frame has an upper transverse portion above the seat, and the locking means extends from said upper transverse portion to the upper end portion of the support arm.
 4. A chair according to claim 1, wherein the frame has an upper transverse portion above the seat, and the locking means includes a bar extending rearwardly from said transverse portion to an adjustable connection with the upper end portion of the support arm.
 5. A chair according to claim 1, wherein the means for receiving pressure from the feet of an occupant includes a foot rest on the front end portion of the support arm.
 6. A chair according to claim 1, including a seat support extending in bridging relation between opposite sides of the frame and having a back support extending upwardly from the seat support to the upper end portion of the support arm.
 7. A chair comprising a stand forming a planar base with upright side portions on opposite sides of the chair, a closed, arcuate frame mounted on the upright side portions and pivotable about a horizontal axis passing through the points at which the frame is mounted thereon, a seat member extending transversely between opposite sides of the frame and having a back portion extending upwardly therefrom, a support arm connected with the lower portion of the frame and extending upwardly behind the back portion to connect with the upper portion of the frame, and means mounting the back portion on the support arm.
 8. A chair according to claim 7, including a control bar connected with the upper portion of the frame to adjustably connect the frame with the upper end portion of the support arm.
 9. A chair according to claim 7, including a control bar connected with the upper section of the frame, means connected with the support arm in guided relation with the control bar for swinging, adjustable movement of the support arm therealong, and means for locking the support arm in adjusted position with respect to the control bar.
 10. A chair according to claim 7, including a foot rest connected with the lower end portion of the support arm. 